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The Freshman: April 15, 2004

Adam Corpora's weekly comic The Freshman for April 15, 2004

KILL BILL: VOL. 2 / ***1/2

It is human nature to compare a new experience with one that has previously occurred. On that rare occasion that we experience something truly great, it is difficult to conceive of anything that will live up to it. Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill: Vol. 1" was one such experience. The film, which was the first half of a longer film, was utterly brilliant and instantly became a cult classic.

Coheed and Cambria: Boys just want to have fun

Coheed and Cambria have been pigeonholed in many ways. Critics have labeled them the "emo Rush," and fans and critics alike have targeted them solely as a concept band. While drummer Josh Eppard is flattered that his band is so often compared to Canadian prog-rock legends Rush, he feels it is important to realize that Coheed is its own band.

Music Notes

Reviews of new music from Piebald, They Might Be Giants, Deerhoff and others.

When in Rome: Encountering the backpacker mentality

But all of these transportation inconveniences were worth it. To remind those who may have forgotten, my friend Rachel and I decided to spend our spring break on the Greek island of Corfu. Neither of us had heard anything about the island before deciding to travel there. In fact, we had only read about it in a guidebook two days before we left. We left Rome for spring break a little anxious about what to expect.

Pop rockers offer 'Action'-packed punch

Punchline is a Pittsburgh, Pa. punk band with all the right moves. The band is hard-working, energetic. The members are PJ Caruso, Chris Fafalios, Paul Menotiades and Steve Soboslai. Punchline has been touring up and down the East Coast, making friends and fans along the way. They are currently on tour with Allister and Hidden in Plain View. Punchline also opened for Less Than Jake last fall and performed on the Warped Tour last summer.

Autopilot Off debuts LP

Monroe, N.Y.'s Autopilot Off has been touring with only a short five-song EP under their belt. That will change tomorrow when the band's full-length major label debut, "Make a Sound," is released. It is no mistake that this is a great album all the way through and a rather thought-out move by the band.

Stop, collaborate and listen: The Ice age reaches Tavern

Infamous rapper Vanilla Ice will bring his live set to the Tavern for a free show Wednesday night through Eagle Nights.

New-wave band frontman gives Head

It's important to understand the environment of your rock show, because it can be a wicked beast, and if you let it gain control of you, it could mean your life. You can have the party, an accepting upheaval of alcohol-fueled positive energy that's bought and sold at your local liquor stores like religion at church, or you can have the pit, a mob of teenage hooligans sweating with drug free intensity. While Daryl Palumbo's full-time band Glassjaw brings the pit, his new side project, Head Automatica, brings the party.

Film: 'The Girl Next Door'

It is difficult to decide what exactly to take from "The Girl Next Door." The basic premise is simple enough: a responsible high school senior named Matthew (Emile Hirsch), who is also the class president, finds his last year before he goes off to college to be less than he imagined it to be. That is, until the girl next door walks into his life.

Film: 'Ella Enchanted'

Based on Gail Carson Levine's award-winning young-adult novel of the same name, "Ella Enchanted" cleverly updates the classic "Cinderella" story with humor and intelligence to captivate audiences of all ages.

Music: Marwood carves out a niche

Tucked away behind the bar at 9th Street Espresso on Manhattan's lower East Side, you will find Rob Overby: dispenser of coffee, admitted Britney and Christina fan and the lead guitarist for underground New York-based band Marwood. While you are most assuredly familiar with coffee, Britney and Christina, Marwood may be unfamiliar territory.

Liz Phair tip-toes around indie rock

Rocker Liz Phair played a sold-out show at the 9:30 club Sunday night to close her recent tour. Phair and her openers, Wheat and Rachael Yamagata, brought in mostly 20-to-30-somethings, but also several teenage girls itching to hear Phair's single "Why Can't I," which has been a mainstay on top-40 radio since last year.

Haiku Circus: April 8, 2004

Not Quite Wrong: April 8, 2004

Film: 'The Whole Ten Yards'

Here is one piece of advice for all filmmakers contemplating making a sequel: If the original movie relied on the characters more than the plot, the sequel will inevitably cave. This proves to be the main problem with "The Whole Ten Yards," starring Matthew Perry and Bruce Willis.

Interview with Bruce Willis & Matthew Perry

Each has a genuine mutual respect for the comedic aptitude of the other. Evident in the first movie was Perry's flair for physical humor, which he also brings to the sequel. Some of the sequel is improvised, which requires comedic talent, anticipation and understanding of the other actors.